Regrets and Responsibility
In the spirit of full accountability, I present my 8-Mile Disclaimer. This list contains actions and behaviors from my past that I am not proud of and would likely never admit to if it weren’t for the fact that someone, somewhere, could rightfully call me out. However, this isn’t about simply getting ahead of accusations—it’s about acknowledging my mistakes, the pain or complications they may have caused, and holding myself accountable for them.
If an item is on this list, it’s because I regret it—not just because I might be called out for it, but because I know in my heart, through personal reflection and moral reasoning, that I should feel remorse. These are things I want to confront in order to strive for personal growth and to avoid repeating the same mistakes. I understand I may falter again, but each time I mess up, it will come with a moment of reflection, whether it’s immediate or soon after. If needed, I will add new actions or decisions to this list as I continue to work on becoming a better version of myself.
1. Accusations of Abusive Behavior in Relationships
I have been accused of abusive behavior in past relationships, including spending a night in lock-up in Ridgeland, Mississippi, following a public altercation with a former girlfriend. More recently, I was involved in a physical altercation with a woman I had dated for less than 90 days. This incident involved her submitting images of herself with a bloody nose and me having scratches behind my ears and on my face and neck. I was the one who called the police and provided a formal statement regarding the situation.
In many of my relationships, I have allowed arguments to escalate further than they should have. I did not take responsibility to remove myself from these situations, and as a result, I became verbally abusive, or at the very least, verbally unreasonable and unkind. I deeply regret these moments, and I acknowledge my failure to manage my emotions in a way that respected both myself and my significant others.
Since late 2023, I have been working with licensed therapists and psychiatrists to better control these behaviors. I am also consciously choosing to remain single, avoiding relationships until I have reasonable assurance from myself and outside professionals that I can handle these issues in a healthier way. I want to ensure I do not put others at risk of being hurt by my actions.
2. Being Unwantedly Clingy and “Stalkerish”
Though no formal accusations have been made, I recognize that in a previous relationship, my behavior was clingy and could be perceived as “stalkerish.” I allowed my personal issues to lead me to make unreasonable decisions, such as attending events or sending messages that were inappropriate or unwelcome. Though nothing was officially reported, there are more than enough instances where I overstepped boundaries. I am deeply sorry for these actions, and I recognize the importance of understanding why my thinking and condition led me to behave this way. Moving forward, I am committed to ensuring I don’t repeat these behaviors in future relationships.
3. Poor Money Management
I have consistently struggled with budgeting and financial responsibility, both personally and in relation to business matters. I acknowledge that I am not trustworthy with other people’s budgets and have often overspent, misallocated funds, or outright failed to repay debts.
Despite demonstrating strong business acumen in other areas, when it comes to personal finance, I have significant issues. These have been used against me in business contexts to show why I should not be solely responsible for handling financial matters. While I have never acted illegally or with malicious intent, I have been guilty of spending money on projects that were not authorized. I take full responsibility for these mistakes and acknowledge that my actions, while not self-serving, were still irresponsible.
To address this, I have created a set of financial transparency rules for OpieCooper.com and related businesses. You can read more about them [HERE].
4. An Unapologetic Love for “Down Periscope”
I unapologetically love the movie Down Periscope. I stand by this, for reasons I will neither justify nor apologize for.
5. Plagiarizing Creative Work
In my early attempts at writing for theater and during a brief stint as a stand-up comic, I plagiarized the creative work of others. While I have since produced much more original content than plagiarized, I understand that, as critics say, 99 original works plus one plagiarized work equals one plagiarized work.
I have never been paid for anything I plagiarized, but I understand and accept the disdain from those who are aware of these past actions. I now strive to be as transparent as possible in all my creative endeavors, ensuring credit is given where it’s due, and I deeply regret those moments of dishonesty in my past.
6. Borrowing and Failing to Repay Friends and Family
I have borrowed or accepted money from friends and family over the years that I have failed to repay. Plain and simple—this is not acceptable behavior, and I own up to it. I could make excuses like “I didn’t have the money” or offer self-rationalizations for why I haven’t repaid these debts, but the truth is, I took money from people who trusted me, promised I would pay it back, and didn’t follow through. This is, without a doubt, me being an asshole, and I recognize the impact it has had on those relationships.
I’m committed to acknowledging this behavior, facing the consequences, and making amends where possible. Below, I’ve listed those individuals I can remember, the amounts I borrowed, what I’ve repaid (if anything), and when I last made contact regarding the debt.
People I Owe Money To:
- Brad B.
Loaned Amount: $800 | Approx. Year: 2008 | Amount Repaid: $0 | Last Contacted: 2016 - Jeff D.
Loaned Amount: $300 | Approx. Year: 2010 | Amount Repaid: $0 | Last Contacted: 2015 - Kalvin M.
Loaned Amount: $450 cash and 5% of the Atlanta CPA Project earnings | Year: 2024 | Amount Repaid: $200 | Last Contacted: September 2024 - Chris A.
Loaned Amount: Approx. $5,000 | Year: 2023 | Amount Repaid: $275 | Last Contacted: NA - Paul (and his late father)
Loaned Amount: $1,000 | Amount Repaid: $0 | Last Contacted: 2014 - Jeff G.
Loaned Amount: $900 | Year: 2020 | Amount Repaid: $0 | Last Contacted: 2023
If I owe you money and you don’t see your name here, feel free to email me with the subject line “Hey, A-Hole” and include just enough info to jog my memory. I’m serious about making things right, even if it’s overdue.
Final Note
This disclaimer is not meant as an excuse or justification for any of my past actions. Rather, it serves as a way for me to reflect on and acknowledge the consequences of my behavior. My ADHD, BPD, and other personal struggles may have played a role in these incidents, but they do not absolve me of responsibility. I am committed to facing these mistakes head-on and using them as motivation to grow as a person.
I understand that I may continue to make mistakes, but I will do my best to pause, reflect, and learn from them—adding to this list as needed—so I can strive toward being a better version of myself each day.